Biography of Dr. A. L. BradenWashington County, IA Biographies

Dr. A. L. Braden is meeting with success as a follower of the medical profession in Wellman, where he has been
located since 1903. He was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, on the 8th of August, 1870, a son of J. R. and Carrie
(Austin) Braden, both of whom were natives of Ross county, Ohio. It was in the year 1851 that the father came to
Iowa, turning his attention to farming. He was busily employed in the work of the fields until more than a decade
had passed, when he responded to the country's call for troops, joining the boys in blue of Company K, Fourteenth
Iowa Volunteer Infantry. With this regiment he served throughout the entire war and participated in several hotly
contested battles but never flinched when facing the enemy's bullets, actuated always by the high and earnest resolve
of protecting the interests of the Union. Both he and his wife are now deceased. His political allegiance was unswervingly
given to the republican party and he took an active interest in promoting its welfare and success. The family numbered
but two children, the elder being Mary Louisa Braden, now the wife of Grant Gregory, of Texas.

Dr. Braden, the only son, supplemented his public school education by a course in Kossuth Academy, from which he
was graduated with the class of 1890. He largely pursued his medical course in Iowa City, where he spent four years
in college. He also spent two years in the Bellevue Hospital in New York city and for a time was in the Mills Training
School of the eastern metropolis. His thorough preparation well qualified him for the onerous duties of the profession
and in 1903 he came to Wellman, where he purchased the practice of Dr. Smith and later bought out Dr. W. P. Gardner.
He has been very successful in his professional career, his skill and ability gaining him a wide reputation and
extensive practice throughout the surrounding country. He is always most careful in the diagnosis of his cases
and his labors have been attended with a gratifying measure of success. In addition to his private practice he
is now physician for the Fraternal Aid at Wellman and examiner for several insurance companies.

On the 23d of September, 1903, Dr. Braden was married to Miss Carrie V. Heizer, who was born in Des Moines county,
Iowa. They have become the parents of two children: Louisa, who was born November 8, 1904; and Cordelle, whose
birth occurred June 15, 1907. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Dr. Braden is a member
of the Woodmen Lodge, No. 1828, of which he is also examining physician. He is actuated by high ideals in his professional
service and is recognized elsewhere as a man of attractive social qualities, whose interest in his fellowmen is
deep and sincere, while his efforts for public progress are actuated by an earnest desire for the welfare and uphuilding
of the community in which he makes his home.